Real Madrid told how to seal first January signing as Florentino Perez plots overhaul

REAL MADRID have been told how to complete the signing of Kepa in January.

The Athletic Bilbao president Josu Urrutia has revealed how the signing will need to be done if the goalkeeper is to make the move.

Real Madrid are keen on bringing the Spain youngster to the Bernabeu in January and he is expected to be their first signing of the window.

Bilbao have been trying to agree an extension with Kepa but they appear to have missed the chance and he is keen on the move.

He is likely to be back up goalkeeper to Keylor Navas who will be replaced himself in the summer.

Read More:https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/897110/Real-Madrid-transfer-news-Kepa-January-deal

Rumour Mill: Mbappe no longer dreams of Real, Carrasco can leave, Barca to sign Di Maria?

KYLIAN Mbappe has revealed he held talks with Real Madrid before joining PSG, Atletico will let Yannick Carrasco leave and Barcelona to sign Angel Di Maria.
It’s all here in another edition of Rumour Mill!

MBAPPE REVEALS REAL TALKS

French striker Kylian Mbappe has revealed he held talks with Real Madrid before joining Paris Saint-Germain but now no longer dreams of a move to the Spanish champions.

Mbappe had reportedly been a target of Real after he helped fire Monaco to a first French league title in 17 years last season, but instead he joined Paris Saint-Germain in August on an initial loan deal that will become permanent for 180 million euros (AU$275m) next year.

“There were many rumours of a transfer, it’s true that we spoke, but I think that’s now in the past for me and for Real Madrid,” Mbappe said in an interview with Marca.

“I play for PSG now and I am going to defend these colours 100 per cent.”

Mbappe, who turned 19 last week, said he wanted to play for PSG because Paris is his hometown.

“It is like a child from Madrid has the opportunity to play in his team and goes somewhere else, another country. No, I wanted to play for PSG and I am happy for now with how things are going,” he added.

Read More: https://www.foxsports.com.au/football/la-liga/rumour-mill-mbappe-no-longer-dreams-of-real-carrasco-can-leave-barca-to-sign-di-maria/news-story/036d9931e14e78de1805c6339839699c

Lionel Messi finds the next young superstar for Barcelona and wants him signed in January

LIONEL MESSI has found the next young superstar for Barcelona.

Messi has put Justin Kluivert on Ernesto Valverde’s radar after impressing at Ajax.

And he thinks Barcelona should move for the young winger in January, according to Diario Gol.

Barca are looking at their options to add to their squad in the transfer window.

Philippe Coutinho is their top target while Antoine Griezmann is expected to sign in the summer.

Messi has alerted the Barca board to the availability to Angel Di Maria.

And now he also wants them to bring in 18-year-old Kluivert.

He is the son of Patrick - the former Holland and Barcelona striker - and has come through the Ajax academy.

Read More: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/897218/Lionel-Messi-Barcelona-news-Justin-Kluivert

Europe key to Zidane's future at Real Madrid

Real Madrid will stick by Zinedine Zidane despite their La Liga title challenge being all but over after last Saturday's embarrassing 3-0 Clásico defeat.

Club sources insists "nothing to worry about" with regards to the Frenchman's future, even with the reigning European champions some 14 points off Barca's pace in La Liga.

Second-half goals from Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Aleix Vidal crushed Madrid to leave them languishing in fourth place.

While the hosts had been the superior side in the first half, the scoreline told its own story for Zidane, who made the bold call of leaving Isco, Gareth Bale and Marco Asensio on the bench.

The curious selection of Mateo Kovacic as a specialist man-marker ultimately backfired, with Messi repeatedly dragging the midfielder out of position to allow Ivan Rakitic, another Croatian, to drive through the middle of the field and set up Barca's opener.

Beaten Up

"I know I'm going to get beaten up (in the media) for the decision to start Kovacic ahead of Isco, but I'm never going to change. I'm here to make decisions and, if we'd scored in the first half, it would all have been different," said Zidane in the post-match press conference.

"We are not playing badly - that's why it is even more painful.

"Football can change so quickly. Many people said they (Barcelona) were bad in pre-season, and now we will be labelled as bad.

"This is football and we have to accept it. When you win, (people think) everything is wonderful and when you lose, everything is f***** up."

Read More: https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/other-soccer/europe-key-to-zidanes-future-at-real-madrid-36437224.html

How Real suffer without Benzema, Ronaldo goals

Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema heads the ball between Sevilla's French defender Lionel Carole (L) and Sevilla's French defender Clement Lenglet (R) during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid and Sevilla. Photo: AFP
Six goals between Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in the current LaLiga season is a woefully disappointing return, according to MARCA.

Therein lies an explanation for many of Real Madrid problems this season, with a 14 point gap between the reigning champions and the current league leaders, Barcelona, who look destined to lift the trophy.

That statistic is particularly worrying in the case of Cristiano Ronaldo, a player who has always averaged more than a goal a game since his arrival in Spain.

With 422 strikes from 416 outings , his average is 1.01 goals per game.

This season though, he has become a Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde style player, unstoppable in the Champions League with nine goals in six games, but weak in LaLiga with only four goals, against Getafe, Malaga and Sevilla (a brace).

This time last year, the Portuguese international had notched 12 times.

The campaign didn’t get off to the greatest of starts for Ronaldo, having to serve a suspension for his sending off in the first leg of the Supercopa de Espana and missing the opening four league games as a result.

Without their talisman in attack, Zinedine Zidane’s team got off to a slow start, with draws against Valencia and Levante in his absence, and on both occasions a goalscorer could have turned one point into three.

Even with Ronaldo back in the side, things didn’t improve.

Read More: http://punchng.com/how-real-suffer-without-benzema-ronaldo-goals/

Versatile Barcelona Midfielder Now On Liverpool’s Radar: Just The Kind Of Player They Are Missing?

Liverpool are reportedly lining up a move for Barcelona midfielder Sergi Roberto. A report in the English press has claimed that the Reds are set to battle with their rivals Manchester United in pursuit of the Spanish midfielder’s signature. Some bookies are suggesting that the 25-year-old could be used on the right-back position by both clubs if they are successful in their attempts to convince Barcelona to part ways with their prized asset.

Nathaniel Clyne is currently out with a long-term injury and Joe Gomez, who is more of a centre-back is filling out as a makeshift right-back. The youngster Trent Alexander-Arnold has also featured in the position for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool this season although he has been used sporadically so far. So the German manager is likely to have identified the position as an area he needs to address soon as his side prepares to fight for a Champions League spot for next season.

Borussia Dortmund is also being reported to have joined in on the race for Roberto with the reigning Premier League champions Chelsea an outside shout to come in with an offer for him. BetStars Director of Trading Ian Marmion has shed some light on Roberto’s future destinations. He said:

“Manchester United and Liverpool are both interested in signing Barcelona’s versatile midfielder Sergi Roberto in the January transfer window. “Roberto has spent much of the last two seasons playing at right-back and United may see him as a long-term successor to Antonio Valencia, whereas Liverpool could use him immediately, with first-choice right-back Nathaniel Clyne still out with a recurring back injury.

Read More: http://the4thofficial.net/2017/12/versatile-barcelona-midfielder-now-liverpools-radar-just-kind-player-missing/

Messi breaks yet another record!

Lionel Messi became the all-time top scorer in Europe’s top five leagues for a single club after he scored from the penalty spot as Barcelona opened up a 14-point gap over their rivals Real Madrid with a resounding 3-0 win at the Bernabeu on Saturday.

Messi's goal was his 526th in all competitions for Barcelona, giving him the very enviable honour.

Bayern Munich legend Muller scored 525 times for the Bundesliga club in 572 appearances between 1965 and 1979 while Messi's total has been achieved in 608 appearances for the Barca.

Messi has also scored more El Clasico goals than any other player throughout the history of the famous fixture. He has now scored 25 goals in 37 El Clasico games, with Real Madrid legend second with 18, while Cristiano Ronaldo has 17.

Read More: http://www.barcalens.com/2017/12/messi-breaks-yet-another-record.html